Utah, USU game to debut college football coverage on new Fox Sports 1 network

Comments

@Ekute"For 2 years we've been hearing how byu athletics and byutv
is all about exposure."

You have my permission to watch BYUtv.
;)

You're correct, the move to independence is about exposure
and being able to control it. Have you forgotten what the MWC TV contract was
like and the failed Mtn Network? MWC schools had no control of their TV rights.
BYU and Utah administrators actually worked together to try and get the MWC to
relinquish some of that control but were unsuccessful.

With the move
to independence, the ESPN contract, and the availability of games on BYUtv
I've been able to watch more BYU games in the past 2 yrs than I have in the
previous 10-15 yrs before that combined. The ESPN contract gives us way more
exposure than BYUtv does (obviously). If you look at the demographics of viewers
that watch BYUtv it's almost entirely LDS (again obviously) but it
stretches the exposure with the re-broadcasting of games and also broadcasting
into foreign countries.

Together, ESPN and BYUtv accomplishes that
goal of increased exposure with each network targeting a different audience.

ekuteLayton, UT

May 30, 2013 10:30 p.m.

A lot of interest from the byu "fans" on the Utes tv schedule. Some of them are even asking about free tickets.Thanks for the
support.

bigcougar,For 2 years we've been hearing how byu
athletics and byutv is all about exposure.Now you're saying that
byutv is for byu fans/LDS faithful?As a fellow LDS faithful, I must say,
your arrogance is showing. Typical byu "fan".As a Ute fan and LDS
faithful, is it ok if I watch byutv?

Mister JSalt Lake City, UT

May 30, 2013 7:02 p.m.

to BigCougar 2:05p today

"My Saturdays..."

Spinning/justifying your honey do list. Zzzzzzzz!

Fall Saturdays
are made for one thing. It starts w/ the Big 10 in the a.m., the **SEC in
primetime**, & a P12 nightcap.

StGtoSLCSALT LAKE CITY, UT

May 30, 2013 5:34 p.m.

BigCougar: "Don't utah students get free tickets?"

There
are very limited numbers of tickets available to students. The MUSS sells its
allotment of tickets within the first few days of opening registration every
year, and the student tickets that are sometimes available from week-to-week are
mostly standing room only and in the far south end of the east bleachers. The
only other exception is when the visitors don't use all of their ticket
allotment. In reality, there are usually a couple hundred of these "free
student tickets" available each home game, and the big ticket games the last
few years (USC, BYU), there were none that I knew of.

BigCougarBountiful, UT

May 30, 2013 4:23 p.m.

@AZUTE1"Don't you find it ironic, in your personal-attack on me,
that you'd expend such effort pointing to an alleged "obsession"
with byu as you're posting comment-after-comment where it 100%
byu-unrelated? Food-for-thought. Then you allocate most of what you post to
addressing me, exclusively."

awwww...it's not personal,
you're just a lot of fun! I also posted comments to AntelopeValleyUte and
ute4ever (it might've been filtered) just so you don't feel picked
on.

As for the attempt to split hairs about Thurs vs Fri games,
they're all the same to me. The Utah St game is a traditional Friday night
game (night before General Conference). The Boise St game vs BYU has the makings
of a good rivalry. NFL and College football are branching out to different
nights they air games to expand audiences and create new dependencies.

@NavalGood point, I don't have any high schoolers playing football
so I don't go to games. Friday night TV is boring so when there's a
college game on I'll watch. More games on Thurs/Fri frees up Saturday for
other things.

BigCougarBountiful, UT

May 30, 2013 3:54 p.m.

@ute4ever"It's nice to be a Utah fan where we actually sell out
our season ticket and our stadium,"

Don't utah students get
free tickets? With over 32,000 students enrolled with access to free tickets
it's no wonder you "sell out" your season tickets and stadium. I
wonder how many would not go if they had to pay for their tickets?

AZUTE1Mesa, AZ

May 30, 2013 3:47 p.m.

@bigcouger--

Don't you find it ironic, in your personal-attack
on me, that you'd expend such effort pointing to an alleged
"obsession" with byu as you're posting comment-after-comment where
it 100% byu-unrelated? Food-for-thought. Then you allocate most of what you
post to addressing me, exclusively. Refer to some of the 1st posted comments on
this thread and who they're from as to why I even mentioned byu, in the
first place.

Regarding your comparison between byu's 3 scheduled
Friday games/UTAH's 2 scheduled Thursday games, you failed to mention that
the 1st of UTAH's 2 games takes place on Opening Day for the entire nation.
This is hardly comparable and, consequently, there's a number of extra
games scheduled for this special day. Furthermore, Thursday games traditionally
are reserved for a few select big games, annually [i.e., our 2nd of 2 at home
against UCLA]. NOT the case with Friday games. These are more of a recent
phenomenon reserved for the non-bcs variety having a 2nd-Tier opportunity to be
"showcased". Apples-to-Oranges.

HegdehogBountiful, UT

May 30, 2013 3:22 p.m.

@mindgames"This schedule is set up for a winning season and maybe a
Rose Bowl visit. Look for great things from Kyle and the boys."

I'm not so sure about that. I read one pre-season article on-line that
analyzed your spring practices and game and said with the tougher schedule, etc
your worst case scenario is 2-10, best case scenario 7-5 but most likely was 3-9
with wins over Weber St, USU and Colorado (thank heavens for the Buffs!).

Concerns listed were the shaky foundation the OL and DL will have with
Star, the Krugers, and 3 starters from the OL gone. They'll be vulnerable
to the run and have a hard time protecting an unproven QB. The big question they
asked is with that conference schedule, "Where will the wins come
from?"

"Did people really say that they would rather beat BYU
than go to a bowl game? Must have been a misprint!"

Yup. 64% said
they'd rather beat BYU than go to a bowl game. I guess that means that most
ute fans feel the BYU game IS their bowl game. "The BYU Bowl"....that
has a nice ring to it.

Naval VetPhiladelphia, PA

May 30, 2013 2:57 p.m.

BigCougar:

There's a difference between Thursday night games and
Friday night games. Friday nights are for high schoolers. If those high
schoolers are playing their games, then they're not watching college
football. You lose out on recruits that way...or at least you do until November
when the high school season ends.

AZUTE1Mesa, AZ

May 30, 2013 2:49 p.m.

Aggie84--

"....Chuckie will make the difference in every
game."

CK will significantly impact each and every game for usu
in 2013, but not necessarily in precisely the manner in which you, yourself,
imagine. I believe he'll both directly impact them via his own skill-set,
but will also impact them via how the glaring lack of viable skill-players
affects what he is/isn't able to accomplish. His challenge to positively
affect outcomes will be palpable from the very onset against us.

We
lack experience coming back along our D-Line, but Coach KW has always recruited
well in this all-important facet of our team and just simply reloads, annually.
2013 will be no exception to it. Look for ST to break-out onto the scene in
epic-fashion, among others. And if we can manage getting Blechen/Hooker to
consistently remain healthy, we'll shore-up our pass-coverage at LB and
force usu to focus on the run, which'll play right into our hands, w/dudes
such as Fehoko/Filiaga, THE consummate run-stoppers, licking their chops
awaiting to utterly SMASH each-and-every bone in CK's body.

BigCougarBountiful, UT

May 30, 2013 2:05 p.m.

...more on Azute1's BYU obsession:

"Meanwhile, byu already
has ... 3 Friday night games scheduled."

And Utah has 2 Thursday
night games scheduled (sounds a bit hypocritical). Not sure what the big deal
is. I actually like the weeknight games better because I get to watch them live.
My Saturdays are spent running my kids around to their sporting events, doing
projects, church assignments, etc. It's the same for a lot of busy guys
with careers, community involvement and families.

There's
something powerful in creating lasting impressions when you're the only
game on a Thurs or Fri night vs being one of a hundred or more games broadcast
on a busy Saturday. Look what it did for Boise St. I think the MWC was crazy for
not wanting to do their ESPN deal because ESPN wanted to air them on weeknights.
They missed on a great opportunity to build their brand.

BigCougarBountiful, UT

May 30, 2013 1:50 p.m.

@AZUTE1"It'll be interesting to see the wreckage following
UT's visit with byu's lack-of-depth and abundance of 2-Star recruits
getting battered, physically beat-up and, ultimately, fully-exposed for the
2nd-Rate team they are."

speaking of being obsessed, I thought
this was an article about Utah finally getting some football games on a
nationally-known sports network vs a series of regional networks that people
can't find in their basic cable lineup?

BigCougarBountiful, UT

May 30, 2013 1:48 p.m.

@AntelopeValleyUteBYUtv isn't in competition with ESPN, it's for
BYU fans/LDS faithful around the world to have access to good programming
including BYU sports. For BYU it's a secondary outlet for games not picked
up by ESPN and for showing re-broadcasts. They don't care if people
"are going to go searching for BYUtv" or not. That's not what
it's designed for.

Congrats to Utes finally getting games on a
network that people can find. Sounds like this will be an improvement (Fox
Sports 1 and ESPN) over the Pac12 Network. Everybody gets ESPN but not everybody
gets a proprietary network like P12 Network or it's regional networks
unless you want to upgrade and pay for a bigger package. Now utes don't
have to rely just on BYU to get games on a nationally-known TV network like
ESPN.

Although Ute fans make fun of other teams having weeknight
games, I think they're going to find out they like having a game on Thurs
(Utah St & UCLA) nights. It's great exposure for the program and a real
opportunity to stand out when it's the only game on that night.

MyPerspectiveSalt Lake City, UT

May 30, 2013 11:16 a.m.

I can't wait to see these games on FOX...great partner for the Pac-12!

U 90Corona, CA

May 30, 2013 11:03 a.m.

Mark321,

You make a valid point, but duckhunter and sammy are really
closet Ute fans. They can't help themselves.... their obsession with all
things Utah forces them to comment multiple times on every Utah article. In
duck's case he represents 15% of the posts on this tread already. Now
that's a real Utah "fan". LOL

Mark321Las Vegas, NV

May 30, 2013 10:15 a.m.

I'm a Y fan and I'm going to say this once to Y fans commenting and
then I'm gone from this article. This article has nothing to do with BYU,
so get out! I don't like it when Ute fans are on exclusive BYU articles
either and I know you don't, so why do the same?

Incorrigible ManifestationSLC, UT

May 30, 2013 9:54 a.m.

I do not have the PAC 12 Network on my sattelite network and it doesn't
appear I have the Speed channel either. That is a lot of games I won't be
able to see.

Ernest T. BassBountiful, UT

May 30, 2013 9:15 a.m.

I'm with Duck. Since when does scoreboard and overall wins matter? byu is
better because I feel it in my heart so it's true!

Go Utes!Springville, UT

May 30, 2013 7:42 a.m.

I am excited to see Fox sports 1 in action. Cannot wait for the season to
start.

Y Grad / Y DadRichland, WA

May 30, 2013 6:07 a.m.

AZUTE1Mesa, AZ

Actually, I think that is a very fair
assessment. Think you could say pretty much the same thing for BYU and
independence.

Aggie84Idaho Falls, ID

May 30, 2013 2:31 a.m.

According to the Blue and Red smack, my Aggies are 2 - 0. The opening game
between the true blue and red should give the state a good idea of what both
teams might do. Last years game gave the Aggies a great springboard into the
rest of the season. I am hoping the Aggies special teams are upgraded this year.
I believe they will be the deciding factor in at least 3 games this year. One
factor for sure, Chuckie will make the difference in every game.

Two For FlinchingSalt Lake City, UT

May 30, 2013 1:54 a.m.

I don't know why games aired by the Fox networks is a laughing matter. Fox
is by far the best network when it comes to NFL and MLB. Plus the on screen
graphics, especially the "FoxBox", have been great innovations.

It's not like Fox is a light weight when it comes to broadcasting sports.
I'm sure their exclusive sports network will be excellent.

motorbikeCottonwood Heights, UT

May 30, 2013 12:03 a.m.

Nothing better than the jealous rantings from Cougar "fans" on Utah
articles. Their interest in everything Utah, and their obsessive need to
comment, says it all. It's great to be a Ute fan!

AZUTE1Mesa, AZ

May 29, 2013 10:32 p.m.

Interesting take from Kevin Gemmell--

"I think you have to give
Utah at least four seasons in the Pac-12 -- a full class cycle -- before you can
start passing judgment on Whittingham. Remember, not only are they adjusting to
a higher level of play every week, but they need a grace period to re-work how
they operate their program. Utah is seeing television money never thought
possible in the Mountain West, and part of the learning curve is figuring out
the proper way to appropriate that funding. Hiring Dennis Erickson is a great
start -- a move they never would have been able to make financially in a non-AQ
conference. Nor would a non-AQ team be able to attract a big-name coach like
Erickson to be a coordinator. Let the money sink in, let the new facilities work
their magic on recruits and if Utah has a four- or five-year bowl drought, then
you can open up discussions. But Whittingham -- who I believe to be an
outstanding coach -- should be sitting on ice for now."

AZUTE1Mesa, AZ

May 29, 2013 10:02 p.m.

Meanwhile, byu already has 1 game on ESPNU and 2 on CBS Sports Network. 3
Friday night games scheduled. Large # of starters lost, injury-prone QB, no
hope along o-line, 1 WR, incoming J.C. corner already gone for season. Although
filled with breathers throughout, toughest schedule ever. Expect a seriously
long season in utah county.

It'll be interesting to see the
wreckage following UT's visit with byu's lack-of-depth and abundance
of 2-Star recruits getting battered, physically beat-up and, ultimately,
fully-exposed for the 2nd-Rate team they are.

Anybody already listing
UVA as a certain-win might just end up quite disappointed. I'm not
guaranteeing a win, either way, but byu rarely ever beats a good team and should
never, ever presume a win against any opponent, whatsoever.

AZUTE1Mesa, AZ

May 29, 2013 9:43 p.m.

"The television arrangement with ESPN and FOX calls for Pac-12 football to
receive full national distribution of each game. ESPN will televise on ESPN,
ESPN2, ESPNU or ABC, while FOX will air its games on FOX or FOX Sports 1."

LindonManLindon, UT

May 29, 2013 8:45 p.m.

That's a prestigious network, man all BYU fans should be so jealous! We
have to settle for ESPN and ESPN2!

AntelopeValleyUtePalmdale, CA

May 29, 2013 6:40 p.m.

Ducky, I know you passionately hate Utah, but you can say all the crap you want
about TV exposure. When ESPN is not televising BYU games, they will be
televising Utah games on ESPN, ABC, Fox, amongst other networks I need not
mention...why? Don't need to brag. If ESPN doesn't televise BYU
football on ESPN 1,2,3 and U, you can forget it. Utah games don't always
have to be televised nationally. There is more than enough networks to go
around. While BYU may have ESPN and BYUTv. And unless you are more, or just
like BYU, how many other people are going to go searching for BYUTv??? Not
many.

Area 52, as for BYU getting to a BCS Title Game before Utah
plays in the Rose Bowl...the odds of that happening are 1/1,000,000 odds. Your
chances are greater getting hit by a car or struck by lightning than BYU going
to a BCS Title Game. I would say, your chances of winning the lottery are
better than BYU winning it all.

Best case scenario is a 3 win season for the boys in blue. Kinda throwing
rocks at a glass house with our meaningless predictions, aren’t we?

Why don’t you and Ducky go troll somewhere else? Oh, that’s
right, because it would mean you two would be cured of your Utes inferiority
complex.

ute4everWest Jordan, UT

May 29, 2013 5:22 p.m.

Can someone tell me when BYU fans will have something ON FIELD to smack talk
about. It is tiring to see these articles comment section where BYU fans tell
Utah fans they can't fill their stadium, that their TV games start too
late, that the TV stations they play on are obscure. Pick your typical BYU
smack and I'm tired of it.

It's nice to be a Utah fan
where we actually sell out our season ticket and our stadium, where all the
games are on TV station that may be harder to find but are actually sports
stations (not byuTV). Best of all, it is nice to win games against your rival.
So while BYU fans continue to smack the rivals about non-football items, we can
just say 8 out of 11, 3 out of 3...we own you on the field.

Compare
records, compare strength of schedule, or whatever you want. In head to head
competition, Utah owns BYU.

KralonHUNTINGTON BEACH, CA

May 29, 2013 5:00 p.m.

Looked up SPEED Channel on Comcast/Xfinity which says channel 294 and 'Fox
Sports 1' will be launched on August 17, 2013.

But then looked
up local listings (by zip code) and I don't have access to it!

Utes-Best Lil BrothersAnaheim, CA

May 29, 2013 4:16 p.m.

"This schedule is set up for a winning season and maybe a Rose Bowl
visit."

That’s Laughable! BYU has a better chance of reaching the BCS Title game
than Utah reaching the Rose Bowl.

DuckhunterHighland, UT

May 29, 2013 3:57 p.m.

Uh....I have comcast and I don't think I even have the speed channel.
Maybe, but if I do I couldn't tell you where or what it is. Also having the
vast majority of the games on the pac12 network and this speed/fox1 basically
means they aren't on for most of the tv's in the country.

Nice job trying to smear lipstick on a pig though.

LOL!

StGtoSLCSALT LAKE CITY, UT

May 29, 2013 3:53 p.m.

ESPN's PAC-12 blog reports the season opener against Utah State as being on
the PAC-12 Networks. The Fox Sports 1 channel sounds nice, though, but too bad
for auto racing enthusiasts on losing the Speed Network.

mindgamesAurora, CO

May 29, 2013 2:45 p.m.

Did people really say that they would rather beat BYU than go to a bowl game?
Must have been a misprint!

mindgamesAurora, CO

May 29, 2013 2:44 p.m.

Great to see that the games will be televised this year. Hope to be able to see
them here in Colorado. This schedule is set up for a winning season and maybe a
Rose Bowl visit. Look for great things from Kyle and the boys.